Minnesota (10-3) had a chance to clinch the NFC North with four games in hand last week but instead ended up dropping a 34-23 contest in Detroit as +2.5 underdogs. The divisional title opportunity is still on the table in the Colts at Vikings betting matchup as part of the week 15 slate, with Minnesota just needing a win.
The Colts (4-8) aren’t going anywhere this postseason as they’re currently in the midst of a three game losing streak and have dropped six of their last seven. “Tanking” is a bad word in the NFL, but it really would be better for Indianapolis to lose these remaining games to improve on their draft pick (currently #7) and be a better destination for an offseason coaching hire. The Vikings are just -3.5 favorites here though, a number going in the other direction from as high as a -5.5 open.
What Did Colts Get Right on the Bye?
Indianapolis had last week off but all that did was give them an extra week to wonder what went wrong in the 54-19 loss in Dallas last time out. The game was relatively close with the Cowboys up 21-19 going into the 4th, but then the flood gates opened with Dallas scoring 33 points over the final 15 minutes. If Indy can take any solace it’s that Minnesota got stomped by the Cowboys too, losing 40-3 in week 11 and that was at home.
The Colts at Vikings betting matchup is a good test for Indianapolis to see just how bad their offense is. The Colts have been held to 19 points or less in six of their last seven games, but Minnesota is allowing 30.5 ppg over their last five. Indianapolis scores just 16.1 ppg which is the second fewest in the NFL.
Minneapolis Aims to Lock Up the Division
Winning the North seems like a foregone conclusion at this point for Minnesota, but the last thing you want to do is limp into the playoffs. The loss to the Lions last Sunday wasn’t that bad because Detroit has really turned their season around lately. The Vikings had also beaten the Jets and Patriots prior to the loss to the Lions not to mention getting a big win in Buffalo in week 10 so things are going to be fine in the Twin Cities.
There are a lot of reasons to like Minnesota -3.5 on Sunday including the fact they are 6-1 at U.S. Bank Stadium this year and getting some reinforcements back with S Harrison Smith returning to the defense and tackle Christian Darrisaw finally clearing concussion protocols.
The Vikings also have that guy Justin Jefferson, who has 1,500 yards receiving with four games to play. Jefferson was dominant again last week with 223 yards receiving and he’s basically unguardable at this point.
Free Colts at Vikings Betting Pick
Minnesota’s defense is bad – but so is the Colts offense plus the Vikings should see some improvement with Harrison Smith back in the secondary. What you don’t like here is the fact that the Vikings just don’t blow teams out as their last 9 wins have all been by one score.
The Colts had Dallas in check until the wheels came off in the 4th quarter last week, but at the same time Indianapolis won’t score even against this defense. Time to make a play on the total.
Free Pick: Under 47.5
